A Homecoming for Heroes | Video

Retha Colclcasure | 3/22/2013

It`s been almost a year since the 818th Engineer Company left for Afghanistan. Today, they came home. More than 90 soldiers deployed with the unit.

The doors opened and a cheer went up. As those waiting for their loved ones were chomping at the bit in anticipation of a long overdue hug.

"She`s actually held me together. She`s kept me busy. It`s been nice," said Lindsey Miller, who was waiting for her husband.

"I`m so proud of him, proud of all our troops," said Donna Miller, who was waiting for her grandson.

Those young and old were on hand to greet the Sappers.

"Daddy`s coming home for family fun night," said Aleshia Safran, who was waiting for her dad.

Aleshia and her little sister, Lilly, were waiting with mom Shanda. Lilly was just two months old when dad William left.

"She`s seen him on Skype, heard his voice. We`re both curious to see how she reacts to him being out of the box," Shanda said.

And finally, the moment came.

"We`re still testing the boundaries right now," William said.

Tyler Rafteseth was hoping to make up for lost time and get to know his big brother Tanner. "We never really got along. Excited to have him back."

"Just play video games, catch up," Tanner said.

"I`m glad he`s home. Missed him a lot," Tyler said.

A sentiment shared by both those waiting and those returning.

"It`s great to be home. That`s all I can say," said Jeff Finck with the National Guard.

The unit spent their time in Afghanistan clearing roads of improvised explosive devices to make sure they were safe for coalition forces.

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